When Did We See You A Stranger?

What Will Jesus Say about our immigrant neighbors who are thirsty, hungry, some sick and some hurt held in detention centers?

The Crisis of Basic Needs in Detention

Across facilities hidden from public sight, hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children endure in humane circumstances. In Matthew 25:35 Christ named the basics of life: food, clean water, hospitality, clothing, healthcare, and human visitation. In detention centers today, every single one of these baseline dignities is being strained, denied, or stripped away. People, including young children, are dying inside detention. Chronic ailments go without treatment, urgent cries for clinical help are dismissed, and psychological crises are met with solitary isolation rather than healing ministry. In

Matthew 25:45 Jesus said "Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these you did not do for me."

Faith in Action: Prayer & Our Civic Witness

Prayer is our foundation, but it is never an excuse for inaction. As citizens granted the profound trust of democratic participation, we carry a sacred stewardship. Let us gently examine our hearts and our past civic choices. When we evaluate those who seek public office, let us look at what Jesus said and prayerfully ask: Which representatives champion the basics of life? Who will ensure the basic of life, food, water, medical treatment, and genuine mercy in our immigration and detention centers?

When we choose representatives to speak for us we are looking for representatives to be us in elected office. By choosing like-minded leaders who reflect Christ's compassion for the vulnerable, we hope to influence What Jesus Will Say (WWJS) to us about us providing Him the basics of life in our detention centers. May God guide our choices in elections so that we have a clear concious before Him and before our neighbors.

Lord, Deliver Our Neighbors from the Shadows

Dear Lord, we come before You with broken and contrite hearts. We confess that we have grown numb to the cries of the strangers in our land. Forgive us Lord, if our past choices of representatives contributed to You being mistreated in any way. We would never ever personally treat anyone this way.

We lift up every man, woman, and child confined within our detention facilities. Please Lord provide them clean water and wholesome food. Give them medicine and skilled care and gentle warmth against the chilling floors. Comfort those grieving who entered detention seeking life and then instead found death. Dear, Lord forgive us, and cleanse our hands of this innocent blood. Open our eyes, strengthen our spirit and resolve to refuse complacency and and replace it with your compassion. Ultimately, guide us to make Godly choices in selecting representatives.

Amen.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”